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Student Handbook and Annual District Notifications

To achieve our mission and objectives for the highest level of student success, the district has established and will enforce reasonable rights and responsibilities related to student expectations.

The purpose of the student handbook and annual notifications are to provide a framework of resources for your experience as a student, whether you are full-time, part-time, online or in-person. This includes information so that you can develop an understanding of the general rules/expectations and guidelines, along with notification of board policy or state statute. 

Items noted with an asterisk [*] indicates notice is required by State statute. Items noted with two asterisks [**] indicate notice is required by School Board policy.

Besides the policies that are included and/or referred to in this Handbook, students are expected to be aware of and to abide by all of the District's policies. All of the District's policies can be found on the District's website. Students should pay particular attention to the policies in Section 500 that specifically pertains to students. Questions regarding policies can be directed to your building administrator.

Contact:

Elementary school Contact

Tyrone Brookins 
Assistant Superintendent 
tbrookin@sowashco.org

Middle School Contact

Kelly Jansen 
Assistant Superintendent 
kjansen@sowashco.org

High school Contact

Kristine Schaefer 
Assistant Superintendent 
kschaef2@sowashco.org

 

Student handbook

Regular school attendance is directly related to success in academic work, benefits students socially, provides opportunities for important communications between teachers and students, and establishes regular habits of dependability.

The school district is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Acts of bullying, in any form, by either an individual student or a group of students, are prohibited on school district property, at school-related functions or activities, on school transportation, and by misuse of technology.

Riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right. The school district’s general student behavior rules are in effect for all students on school buses. The school district will not provide transportation for students whose transportation privileges have been revoked.

The possession and use of Electronic Devices (E-Devices) is a privileged part of the educational experience. The school may revoke the privilege of possessing and using E-Devices at any time. 

Cheating is defined as seeking to obtain (or aiding another to obtain) credit or improved scores through the use of any unauthorized or deceptive means. 

SoWashCo Schools are a chemical free environment. Possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs, drug paraphernalia, and/or alcohol, is prohibited at school or in any other school location or during school-sponsored events before, during, or after school hours. The school district will discipline or take appropriate action against anyone who violates this policy. 

Please review the list of examples of unacceptable behavior that is subject to disciplinary action by the school district. These examples are not intended to be an exclusive list. Any student who engages in any of these activities shall be disciplined in accordance with this policy. This policy applies to all school buildings, school grounds, and school property or property immediately adjacent to school grounds; school-sponsored activities or trips; school bus stops; school buses, school vehicles, school contracted vehicles, or any other vehicles approved for school district purposes; the area of entrance or departure from school premises or events; and all school-related functions, school-sponsored activities, events, or trips. School district property also may mean a student’s walking route to or from school for purposes of attending school or school-related functions, activities, or events. While prohibiting unacceptable behavior subject to disciplinary action at these locations and events, the school district does not represent that it will provide supervision or assume liability at these locations and events. This policy also applies to any student whose conduct at any time or in any place interferes with or obstructs the mission or operations of the school district or the safety or welfare of the student, other students, or employees.

Accurate contact information is vital to the health and safety of students. The district provides parents/legal guardians an opportunity to update their student’s information annually through the Annual Back-to-School Update done, using the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus.

 

annual district notifications

Minnesota Statute requires that we provide annual notification to district residents and students regarding the following topics. If you have any questions regarding these topics, please contact the identified personnel or the district office at (651)425-6201. Items noted with an asterisk * indicate notice is required by State statute. Items noted with two asterisks ** indicate notice is required by School Board policy.

In accordance with the requirements from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SoWashCo has developed a plan for managing all building materials that contain asbestos.

The school district will seek criminal history background checks for all applicants who receive an offer of employment with the school district.

Materials that are part of the basic educational program are provided with state, federal, and local funds at no charge to a student. Students are expected to provide their own personal items (pencils, pens, paper, erasers, notebooks). 

Students may be required to pay certain other fees or deposits.

The MN Department of Education (MDE) provides a list of legal assistance, advocacy services, and lawyer referral services.

The school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, parental status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, including gender identity and expression, or age in its programs and activities. 

The school district will give notice to teachers and other appropriate school district staff before students with a history of violent behavior are placed in their classrooms. Prior to giving this notice, district officials will inform the student’s parent/legal guardian/legal guardian or guardian that the notice will be given. The student’s parent/legal guardian has the right to review and challenge their child’s records, including the data documenting the history of violent behavior.

If a parent or legal guardian requests it, the school district will provide information regarding the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers.

SoWashCo Schools is required to inform parents, guardians, and school employees that certain pesticides and herbicides are applied on school property.

 

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Please note: The handbook is subject to change. Please check for updates. 

Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook cover